LONDON, Aug 23: British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, discussed tension over Kashmir during his talks with the visiting Indian Deputy Prime Minister L.K Advani here on Thursday.

“We also discussed the difficulties between India and Pakistan over Kashmir,” Jack Straw said following his meeting with Advani who arrived here on late Tuesday on a three-day visit to London.

Straw said: “India is one of the UK’s closest friends. Our trade, education, science and technology and development links are growing. The relationship is grounded in the family ties of the 1.3 million British Indians living in the UK”.

“I raised several consular cases with Mr Advani and we spoke about the situation in Gujarat. A key part of our discussion was the close cooperation we share with India on counter-terrorism,” said the British Foreign Secretary.

Advani, who holds the portfolio of Indian Home Minister also, called on the British Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott and Home Secretary, David Blunkett. —APP